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Overbay makes Yanks; Aardsma designated

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Aardsma fans Johnson 0:28

9/27/12: David Aardsma strikes out Kelly Johnson in the eighth inning during his debut with the Yankees

By Jeff Seidel
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Special to MLB.com |

WASHINGTON -- The Yankees have just one game left in the exhibition season, Saturday's matchup with Army in West Point, N.Y., which fans can watch free on MLB.TV at 2 p.m. ET, and team officials confirmed a number of roster moves after Friday's 4-2 exhibition win over the Nationals.

Reliever David Aardsma was designated for assignment, while fellow righty Shawn Kelley has made the Opening Day roster, along with Ben Francisco, Jayson Nix and recently signed first baseman Lyle Overbay.

In designating Aardsma, the Yankees appear to be more interested in a reliever who can work longer stints than the veteran righty, whose specialty has been one-inning appearances.

"I think the role we're looking for from that guy is probably a little bit more distance," manager Joe Girardi said. "He's been more of a one-inning guy and a save guy, and our seventh, eighth and ninth is pretty locked in. We just felt that he didn't really fit exactly. He's rehabbed, he's worked his butt off to get to this point, and hopefully it works out for him."

Aardsma said he's disappointed and thought he pitched well in Florida. He's hoping that other teams will take a look at him.

"I showed some teams what I could do, and hopefully, I'll get an opportunity somewhere else and take advantage of it," Aardsma said.

Overbay was signed by the Yankees to a Minor League contract on Tuesday, shortly after the Red Sox released him. The veteran went 0-for-4 in Friday's win and is 3-for-12 since signing.

Overbay was hitting just .220 in Grapefruit League play before Boston released him. He said he knew there wasn't much time to make an impression, so he wanted to show the Yankees whatever he could as quickly as possible. New York certainly needs first-base help due to the right wrist injury to Mark Teixeira, who will be sidelined at least into May.

"You don't know what you're getting into," Overbay said right after being told he'd made the team. "You don't know what they're expecting. That's why I wanted to get here as soon as possible."

Jeff Seidel is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.